LEAF OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF RAINFOREST SUN AND EXTREME SHADE PLANTS

Abstract

The optical properties of the leaves of twelve tropical sun species and thirteen tropical extreme shade species were examined with an integrating sphere attached to a spectroradiometer. Measurements of diffuse reflectance and transmittance allowed calculations of absorptance, 350–1,100 nm. Although some shade species absorbed higher percentages of quantum flux densities for photosynthesis (400–700 nm, PPFD) than the mean for the sun species, the sun and shade species as groups were not significantly different from each other: 90.2, S.D. 3.6% for shade species and 88.6, S.D. 2.4% for the sun species. The groups of species did not differ in total absorptance of energy 350–1,100 nm. Furthermore, the sun and shade species were identical in their shift of absorptance at wavelengths between 650 and 750 nm. The anthocyanic coloration of the leaf undersurfaces of two species polymorphic for this characteristic (Trionela hirsuta and Ischnosciphon pruinosus) is correlated with increased absorptance at the upper end of the action spectrum of photosynthesis. Although sun and shade species have similar optical properties, the energy investment (as documented by dry wt per unit area of leaf surface) is much less for the shade species.